On Saturday 13 Aug the new look DC U15 travelled to Ballymena to compete against Carniny Youth in a pre-season warm up game. This was expected to be quite a test for the young Celts as Carniny compete in the National League. It was also a good opportunity for the DC management team to get a look at the new signings in a game situation. As it turned out, it did prove to be a tough test but also a great workout for the young Celts, who showed plenty of character and determination to claw back from 3 nil down to earn a 3-3 draw.
The opening exchanges were tense as the new signings got used to the DC style of play and other players got used to new positions. The young Celts probably had the first clear chance of the game as new forward McLaverty hit his curling shot just wide following good build up play with Doole. The hosts started to come into the game but the defence of Murphy, McCloskey, McGuigan and Doherty kept them at bay. Carniny applied more pressure and Gallagher made a few good saves. Celtic responded and the midfield of Doole, Scullion, Convery and Lagan created a few chances for the forwards but the keeper did well. The best chance came when a corner led to a goal mouth scramble and when the ball fell kindly both McLaverty and Scullion went for it but neither could make a good connection.
From this Carniny broke out but McLaverty tracked back well and made a great sliding challenge. The hosts scored right on the stroke of half time when the DC defence stood off the Carniny winger and his shot found the top corner. Half Time 1-0.
Within the first minute of the second half DC were 2 down when an uncharacteristic mistake by the DC defence let the forward through 1 on 1 with Gallagher and he made no mistake. The DC management introduced Glass and the presence of 2 big forwards began to unsettle Carniny. DC came more into the game and had it not been for excellent goal keeping DC could have been in the lead. The most memorable being a fingertips save to tip the ball onto the post from a magnificent right footed Doole shot. The visitors were then caught napping and Carniny scored a third following good play up their right wing. To the credit of the young Celts they did not give in and they began to force their way back into the game. They got their rewards when a period of good play put McLaverty through and he made no mistake to score his first goal for the club on his debut. Within 10 mins the score was 3-2 when another through ball put the same player through to score his second. Carniny tried to regroup and only some good defending and goalkeeping combined with poor finishing prevented them increasing the lead. They did not have it their own way and their keeper made some good saves but he could do nothing against Flanagan’s ferocious shot but it scraped the outside of the post. The young Celts scored with 10 mins left with Doole popping up on the edge of the box to hit an unstoppable shot past the keeper to draw the team’s level. Each side could have stolen the win but Carniny came closest when the forward squeezed the ball past Gallagher but new signing O’Kane was able to clear the ball of the line. Final Score 3-3
Thanks to the supporters who made the trip down – as always it is much appreciated.
Squad: Conor Gallagher, Jack Doherty, Odhran McGuigan, Roghan McCloskey, Ronan Murphy, Mark Doole, John Eddie Convery, Ciaran Scullion, Peter Lagan, Adam McLaverty, Tiarnan Flanagan, Connlaoth McElhone, Conor Glass, Eunan O’Kane, Pearse Grant, Danny Gillespie
Goals: McLaverty (2), Doole
Good start lads, keep up the good work